The campaign will have a Wednesday and Saturday schedule starting in April, with Fridays being added. The season ends with the only Sunday afternoon program on July 19. All post times during the 57-day meeting are at 2:30 p.m.
An optimistic Buffalo Raceway General Manager Jon Cramer said. “We expect a good season. The barn is full and we are offering over $100,000 in daily purses, including the Opens which will cost $15,500. That should lead to good racing.”
A new event on the circuit in 2026 is the ‘April Reins Claiming Series’ that starts on Friday, April 10. Starting with a claiming price of $7,500 and increasing $1,500 each week, the horses will run for $12,500, with the top eight points earners across the three legs returning for the $30,000 finals on Friday, May 1.
The traveling New York Sire Stakes arrives at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday, June 3, with the stalwart 3-year-old stallion and gelding pacers taking the prime spotlight. The young ladies will close the Series on Wednesday, July 15, with the two-year-old fillies competing against each other. The Excelsior Stakes are also contested on all Sire Stakes dates.
Fans at the track on opening day (March 4) will receive free race programs and the ever-popular ‘Lucky Exacta’ competition returns on Saturday, March 7. Fans will receive a magnetic live racing schedule with a ‘lucky’ exacta combination. Should that exacta come in at selected races, the winners will spin the wheel for betting on the final race of the day.
Drew Monti looks to make it two straight titles as he defends his crown after racking up 119 wins and nearly $960,000 in earnings last season. Trainer Sam Smith returns and looks to extend his title streak to three seasons. Chris Petrelli and David Russo will be hoping to chase their dreams of a crown, finishing in second and third place respectively.
Buffalo Raceway offers party packages year-round for groups of 25 people or more. For information, call 716-649-1280, extension 6200.
Through Brian J. Mazurekfor Buffalo Raceway
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